What should be done first when an EMT arrives at an accident scene?

What should be done first when an EMT arrives at an accident scene?

• A. Start providing care to victims
• B. Ensure personal and scene safety before proceeding with patient care
• C. Call for additional backup
• D. Assess the number of victims

Answer: (B)

When an EMT arrives at an accident scene, the priority is to ensure personal and scene safety before proceeding with patient care. This is vital to protect not only the EMT but also the victims and any bystanders. An unsafe scene can present numerous hazards, such as fire, traffic, unstable structures, or hazardous materials. Without assessing the scene first for safety, the EMT could become a victim themselves, which would complicate the situation further and prevent them from providing necessary care to the injured. While assessing the number of victims and calling for additional backup are important steps, they should be conducted only after ensuring the scene is safe. Providing care without first ensuring safety poses risks to the EMT and could also jeopardize the victims' safety if further incidents occur. Therefore, confirming the safety of the environment sets the foundation for effective emergency response and care.

When an EMT arrives at an accident scene, the priority is to ensure personal and scene safety before proceeding with patient care. This is vital to protect not only the EMT but also the victims and any bystanders. An unsafe scene can present numerous hazards, such as fire, traffic, unstable structures, or hazardous materials. Without assessing the scene first for safety, the EMT could become a victim themselves, which would complicate the situation further and prevent them from providing necessary care to the injured.

While assessing the number of victims and calling for additional backup are important steps, they should be conducted only after ensuring the scene is safe. Providing care without first ensuring safety poses risks to the EMT and could also jeopardize the victims' safety if further incidents occur. Therefore, confirming the safety of the environment sets the foundation for effective emergency response and care.